45 Ways to Make a Small Bedroom Feel Bigger Than It Is (2024)

Stack up some coffee table books to use as a skinny side table. All you need to fit is a stylish nightlight and mood-setting candle, as shown in this small bedroom designed by Nicholas Obeid.

Designer David Kaihoi transformed this one-bedroom apartment into a family home. This little trundle bed tucks right back under the bed when it isn't in use, "first thing in the morning," says Kaihoi. And they use that windowsill as a bedside table.

A corner seating nook for lounging, reading, and chatting is a bonus in any bedroom, especially in a tiny one! Here, designer Andrew Flesher recovered a pair of vintage Ward Bennett Scissor chairs in a Marimekko print for a fun pop of color. The low silhouette makes them perfect for a sloped ceiling corner.

Sometimes all it takes is a modern light fixture and offbeat paint color to perfect a small bedroom. An old bedside table, jute rug, and color-block linen bedding turn this bedroom into a moody, earthy sanctuary by Fiona Lynch.

Lucite is your best friend in small spaces. This bedroom in Kristin Fine's Connecticut farmhouse is another gorgeous example of simple but transformative styling. Fine opted for a lucite side table for a hint of modernity that doesn't make the room feel too cramped.

If you don't have a closet, but you do have a clothing collection, stay organized and polished with custom wall built-ins that store everything behind closed doors. In this bedroom design by Corinne Mathern, the built-ins provide extensive storage and accommodate the irregular ceiling structure. They're also less deep than your typical dresser and armoire—a win for small bedrooms.

In a small bedroom, there is no wall space to spare, so don't be afraid to put your bed beneath the window. Vern Vip opted for bold curtains to ensure style and sleep-ins. A Cambria quartz desktop suits the sophisticated mood, but “doesn’t ever require resealing, reconditioning, or polishing,” says Yip. Plus, it doubles the bedroom's use-case as a home office.

Take note of this bedroom designed by Heidi Caillier, where great big windows and high ceilings are maxed out by hanging the long curtains all the way at the top. In a small bedroom, have fun with color, shape, and prints, but pay close attention to scale.

If you're looking for out-of-the-box ideas on how to carve out a small guest room out of basically nothing, look no further than this bedroom design by Leanne Ford Interiors. Contemporary striped linens match the beige-painted walls and the paper pendant brings adds just a touch of intrigue to this small sleeping nook, which looks like it was once a sunroom.

This small room designed by Atelier ND is exploding with fun colors. The objective was to use a pretty floral wallpaper, but to dress it down with items that made it look bold and modern rather than precious and dainty. The electric orange blinds, dark green carpet, yellow side table, and purple plaid bedspread bring an edgy midcentury feel that gets the job done.

As far as high-impact decorating ideas go for small bedrooms, it doesn't get cooler than this: Ashe Leandro used the same print for the wallpaper (which extends up to the ceiling), curtains, bedding, and even the lampshade.

To center a headboard on the wall, designer Shawn Henderson closed up a decorative fireplace in this pint-sized but perfect NYC bedroom. A coat of white paint helps the exposed brick wall blend in and feel much less heavy.

Make it a jewel box bursting with colors and patterns. This striking red nailhead bed frame can be tame and paired with classic neutrals, or it can be dressed up with fun accessories and contrasting painting colors, as designer Ariene Bethea displays here.

One of the biggest challenges in a small bedroom is finding places to put all your stuff since the bed takes up most of the room. Be resourceful! Even a windowsill can provide extra storage space for decor, lighting, and other essentials when there's no room for an extra table.

This pint-sized bedroom designed by J. P. Horton is flexing a few small space design secrets. First, the sconces, which don't take up any surface space since they're wall mounted, and second, the side chair, which can be pulled up as a bedside table when need be.

Add a daybed and watch your bedroom double in size. If you don't have a designated guest room, this could also come in handy in your family room or home office that pulls double-duty when friends are in town.

Now here's a bedroom that knows how to set a mood. With plush velvet seating, dark wood paneled walls, and classic landscape photos, this bedroom designed by Hecker Guthrie is a beautiful blend of classic and modern style. To make the room feel larger, lean a modern mirror against the wall, as done here.

Less is more, particularly in a small bedroom. Despite a simple, soft color scheme and bare decorating approach in this minimalist bedroom by Studio DIAA no, it projects a strong sense of personal style and easy living. That's thanks to the polished materials and cohesive look.

Heidi Caillier embraces the smaller size with inky grasscloth wallpaper. While any dark paint color could create a similar impact, the striated wallpaper brings even more texture—perfect for a cozy bedroom.

Embrace the tininess of a space and make it extra intimate and cozy with a sheer curtain around the bed. Jazz up the walls with paint, artwork, or wallpaper to bring in personality without taking up space.